Victims Of Death Of Myanmar Air Attack During A 60-person Termbus Concert, KIA:deliberately And Responds To As War Crime

Illustration of Nanchang A-5 Myanmar fighter jets. (Wikimedia Commons/M Radzi Desa)

JAKARTA - Airstrikes by the Myanmar military killed more than 60 people, including singers and musicians, at the anniversary of the main political organization's ethnic minority Kachin, according to members of the group and a rescue worker on Monday.

Airstrikes on Sunday evening in Kachin state also killed civilians and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officers, media reported.

Witnesses said the attack was carried out by three jets. Meanwhile, the Myanmar military regime has not confirmed it happened.

The attack took place in A Nang Pa's territory in Hpakant Township, Reuters reported, which could not immediately verify details of the report. A junta representative could not immediately be reached for comment, the agency said.

Myanmar has been gripped by violence since the army toppled the elected government early last year. The opposition movement, some of which are armed, has emerged across the country, which has been fought by the military with lethal force.

KIA spokesman Naw Bu said the attack targeted the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the formation of the political wing of the Kachin army, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

"The air attack was intentional," he said by telephone, reported by The National News on October 25.

"KIA/KIO strongly condemn this. This is a very evil act that can also be considered a war crime," he continued, adding his organization could not confirm the death toll.

Since the coup, another open conflict has occurred between the Myanmar army and arch rival KIA, which has been battling for greater autonomy for the Kachin people for six decades, voicing support for the anti-junta resistance.

Meanwhile, the Shadow National Unity Government (NUG), the anti-military group alliance, said it was deeply saddened by the loss of life and urged the United Nations and the international community to intervene and stop atrocities.

"The terrorist military has deliberately carried out other mass killings with air bombings targeting large public concerts," read a NUG statement.

"Tentakan militer teroris jelas melanggar hukum internasional," tandas pernyataan itu.

It is known that the United Nations has repeatedly condemned the Myanmar military, accusing it of crimes against humanity over the deaths of civilians. Meanwhile, the military junta said its operations targeted "terrorists". q